Neak Pean is one of Angkor's most unusual temples — a 12th-century Buddhist shrine on a small artificial island in the centre of a square baray, surrounded by four smaller pools representing the four elements (water, earth, fire, and wind). The temple was designed as a sacred hospital where pilgrims bathed in the smaller pools to cure specific ailments, with the water gushing from four animal-headed gargoyles (elephant, horse, lion, and human) into each quadrant.
Access is via a wooden boardwalk across a flooded forest — a beautiful 300-metre walk through drowned trees that is itself one of Angkor's most atmospheric approaches. The temple is small and the experience is brief, but the combination of the flooded forest walk and the unique architectural concept makes it one of the most rewarding minor temples. Best visited during the rainy season (May-November) when the baray is full.
Verified Facts
Neak Pean is on an artificial island in a baray
The temple was designed as a sacred hospital
The four smaller pools represent water, earth, fire, and wind
The approach is via a 300-metre boardwalk through flooded forest
Get walking directions
Angkor Archaeological Park
